Kitchen Refurbishment : the Do's and Don’ts

We all like the idea of a brand new kitchen in our home. A room where you spend time cooking, relaxing and socialising. All these things are less likely if your kitchen is looking a little drab. Ask yourself: When did my kitchen have a good face-lift?

The kitchen is often one of the most expensive areas within a home to maintain, update and install, which is why you want to get things right when you decide for a change. This article will give advice on 'Do's' and 'Don’ts' to bear in mind when you are thinking of updating your existing kitchen.

Do's

1. When thinking about a kitchen refurbishment, strategically think through which areas you have budgeted for and aim to improve. Are you looking to do a small scale refurbishment or change everything?

2. Get the opinion of someone else on which areas could be improved within the kitchen. Often a new perspective can give fresh ideas to the project. Don’t take opinions too seriously though; they are only trying to help!

3. Read industry specific magazines, such as Home Improvement magazines, kitchen brochures and lifestyle magazines for ideas. Often the little details within these pictures can make a big difference, so try and apply them to your re-design.

4. Set yourself a clear budget and stick to it, source all the necessary improvements within that budget.

5. If you are looking to refurbish your kitchen the most cost effective way to gain a new look and feel is to reface the kitchen doors, replace worktops, doors handles taps and some furniture.

5b. Often the doors may look a little tired. Just 'reface' them (fix new units onto the front) rather than purchase brand new doors. By fitting replacement door covers on the existing units and accessorising with new handles you mimic new doors for less.

6. Accessories are a fantastic way to way to brighten up the kitchen and look more modern (should that be your style). Buy accessories that bring that look to life; for example a new kitchen table and traditional kitchen cupboard handles would achieve a warmer look, without the need to replace everything in sight.

Don'ts

1. Don't be underprepared. Make sure you know everything about what changes you are making and how you are to go about achieving them.

2. Don't spread your budget too thin, otherwise the refurbishment will lose focus and overall impact. Instead focus on your targeted areas and make them a success. Also shop around for the prices on the same products; you will be surprised at differences in price between retailers.

3. Measure twice cut once. A mantra used by carpenters, but also applies to you when ordeing new kitchen doors etc. Make sure you measure your fittings correctly, as this could be very costly to get wrong.

4. Don't be shy about seeking help from a carpenter or even a neighbour if you are unsure how to install new products or fittings.

5. Make sure your new kitchen cupboard doors match the accessories. There’s no point refacing kitchen doors with aged "oak effect" doors and finishing them off with ultra-modern chrome handles, it just won’t work. Same goes for kitchen taps and other accessories.

In summary, a kitchen refurbishment should be a great way to save thousands, rather than having a brand new install. Go with something that you are comfortable with, and will be happy to spend alot of time around. If you follow the tips, I’m sure you will be on your way to success. That satisfaction you get when you designed the kitchen yourself is just something money can’t buy.